Minimum Viable Experience is Key

In product design, the term "minimum viable product" or MVP is often used to describe the phase where a product is developed with the minimum set of features to provide value to early adopters. However, as a UX designer or product designer, it's important to understand that MVP is not enough. This is where the concept of minimum viable experience or MVE comes in.

MVE is the minimum set of features and surrounding supporting factors that provide users with a sufficient experience to observe the value of the MVP in the first place. It's the foundation upon which the MVP is built.

Without a well-defined and well-designed MVE, users won't be able to interpret the value of the product, and feedback won't be useful.

As a designer, your approach to MVP and MVE may differ from that of a developer. While the MVP focuses on what the product can do, the MVE focuses on what the user can do with the product. It's not about creating a low-level or entry-level experience, but rather a highly exceptional experience that provides maximum value to the user.

To achieve an exceptional MVE, consider the following:

• Provide tutorials or aid and support on how to navigate the new experience that users have gotten themselves into with the app or dashboard or web app.
• Create a feedback portal that is easily accessible and prompts users to give feedback while they're in the design environment or in the app or dashboard environment.
• Consider adding additional features or functionality that enhance the user experience and provide additional value

The main objective of your MVP/MVE is to quickly deploy the first iteration of the product to get feedback, which goes back into the design process and is reiterated. This process may require multiple pilot programs or beta testing runs, but eventually, you'll be ready for market.

In the video below, I speak in more detail about the importance of MVE.

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In conclusion, MVE is key to successful product design. It's not just about developing the minimum set of features, but also providing users with a sufficient experience to observe the value of the MVP. By focusing on MVE, you'll be able to create an exceptional user experience that provides maximum value to your users.

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